Concerto Winners: Dan Garmon
  
Images of past Concerto Winners
Senior Dan Garmon is not a newcomer to competitions. In fact, the pianist won the Concerto competition during his sophomore year, when he played Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #1 and wowed the judges with his ability to play a technically challenging piece that required excellent musicality.
Dan was introduced to the piano at age five when his mother bought a piano for her own use. He had no formal training until the age of seven, when he began taking lessons at the Winchester Community Music School. During my interview with Dan, he mentioned that nearly all children take piano lessons at some point. In fact, Dan’s theory proved to be true when questioned other people in the room. However, unlike most of these people, Dan did not quit, although he admits that he wanted to stop in seventh grade because of peer pressure. Today, he realizes that his perseverance and daily practice have worked in his favor.
Dan plays jazz drums in addition to classical piano
At the beginning of his sophomore year, Dan learned about the Concerto Competition through his involvement in the percussion section of the Honors Orchestra. Although he was preparing the Beethoven concerto for another recital, he chose it for the LHS competition. By being named the winner, Dan was automatically ineligible to compete during his junior year. This year, he chose to play the Grieg Piano Concerto, a crowd-pleaser that is of far greater difficulty.
In the next four years, Dan plans to major in both classical piano and jazz drums at a conservatory. He also hopes to someday accompany an off-Broadway or Broadway production.
Watch for Dan’s performance of the Grieg Concerto at the Friday LHS Pops Concert on May 23rd!
- Abha Gallewale
(Image: Jose Colucci)
18 May 2008
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